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Basic Distinctions Between Mulches:
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There are three basic types of hydraulic planting mulch available today: 100% wood fiber mulch, 100% cellulose mulch and a blend of the two, such as 50% wood fiber and 50% cellulose. Wood fiber, like Mat-Fiber®, is manufactured by refining whole wood chips. Cellulose mulches, commonly referred to as "wood cellulose" or "paper mulch", are manufactured from scrap materials such as cardboard, sawdust, newspaper, or residue from pulp or paper factories. Mat-Blend® has equal parts of whole wood fiber and clean, recycled newsprint. |
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Mulches made from mechanically defibrated whole wood chips have longer fibers because the manufacturing process is engineered to maximize fiber length. When applied, the long fibers interlock and cling to each other, forming a continuous blanket on top of the soil. This mulch blanket creates a greenhouse effect that is the primary function of mulches. Because the long wood fibers span soil ridges, more ground is covered with less wood fiber than paper mulches. For example, wood fiber requires as much as 35% less material than paper mulches to achieve the same ground coverage. |
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Cellulose and paper mulches have shorter fiber lengths than wood fiber mulches because they are produced from fiber initially manufactured to create smooth surfaces for paper products and other non-mulch uses. When applied, the shorter fibers of cellulose products clump rather than interlock. The particles form a crusted, blotter-like layer, creating growing conditions just the opposite of the desired greenhouse effect. Too often, the results of cellulose mulches are slow and spotty germination. |
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Blended
mulches of 50% wood fiber and 50% cellulose fiber combine the
performance characteristics of wood fiber, which interlocks for erosion
protection, and the economy of clean, recycled paper fiber for bulk. |
For more information on the Mat Fiber mulch products Revex supplies, click here.